UPDATE: Trench collapse at Chesterfield church traps worker

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR) – Chesterfield Fire and EMS have freed a worker who was trapped in a trench collapse for a couple of hours.

Lt. Jason Elmore said that the trench collapsed at First Baptist Church in Centralia, which is located at in the 2900 block of Kingsdale Road.

Elmore said that the 66-year-old man was trapped 6 to 8 feet below the ground level. The man communicated with firefighters throughout the rescue and is expected to be okay.

He has been sent to VCU Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Richmond and Henrico counties sent in resources to help assist. There were about 30 firefighter on the scene.

Two men were laying the plumbing for the church expansion project when the trench they built gave away. At one point the dirt was up to the man’s chest.

Chesterfield fire officials is working with OSHA to determine if any there were any safety violations at the construction.

Reverend Wilson E. B. Shannon said that the construction crew were working on the plumbing for an underground swimming pool and a roller skating rink that they are adding on to the church when this accident took place.